Public forum: Loitering a community problem

Sharon Stitzlein Published: June 15, 2006 12:00 AM

After reading the article, Businesses hire police to patrol Center Street, I became very saddened. Apparently this has been a problem way longer than it should. The people of Ashland should be very concerned as this certainly is more than just bored kids. I thought loitering, vandalism, fighting (12-1) was against the law. And if there were 40 kids hanging on the streets at one time, then Id call this potential gang related. This is a behavioral problem, not boredom. Apparently, authorities are not acting on the problem now, so what will happen when this gets even more out of control? I dont believe this just happens this time of year or just on Center Street. Arent the parents responsible for the actions of their kids? Take them down to the police station and call their parents. Why isnt someone being fined or community service if they are breaking the law?The curfew as stated, 12:30 to 5 a.m., is way out of range for preteens and teen-agers. Unless they have a paper route or any other job, they shouldnt be on the streets after 11:30 p.m. Nothing good happens after this hour. If the rules arent working then change the rules. Do we have to wait until someone gets shot or stabbed?This is a community problem not just a downtown problem. In some areas of Ashland, 10 or more kids wont move off the street and dare you to do anything about it. When called into the police, the answer is we cant do anything unless we see it. If there is a problem area, why cant it be patrolled periodically to protect the citizens and businesses?How about making our town safer with our tax dollars instead of beautifying downtown and Town Creek with a park? This is a nice town, like the water tank on Claremont says, Ashland Someplace Special. As a citizen, reach out of your comfort zone and help keep Ashland a town to be proud of. Telephone our authorities, go to the meetings, get involved anyway you can.Karen KillianAshlandOhio can be more than it is todayIs Ohio all it should be? What do potential employers know about Ohio? Potential employers can read the same stats anybody else can read. Ohio is losing a greater percentage of 18- to 34-year-olds than just about any other state. Thats the prime potential work force leaving the state. Four of the 20 most dangerous cities in America are in Ohio. Ohio is below the national average on most education indicators. Our states school funding plan has been ruled unconstitutional four times. Ohio provides a pretty good education but only to counties with wealth from property taxes. All the other counties, like Ashland, that have average home prices well below the national average, have much less money coming in from property tax. Separate and unequal quality of education is unconstitutional. We know a promise of a good education for all families and a well-educated work force will bring employers to our state.Can Ohio be more than it is today? Ashland has a rare opportunity to listen to fresh ideas from someone who understands the potential of this state. Ted Strickland, candidate for governor of Ohio, is coming to Ashland 9 a.m. Monday, June 19. He will be speaking at First Christian Church on Cottage Street. The event is free and open to the public. I hope you will come and hear what he has to say.At this critical time in Ohio, I hope you agree Ohio can be and must be more than it is today.At this critical time, its not about party affiliation its about the future of Ohio.Rick VogelAshland